"Rest assured, young master, Hongling never goes back on her words," Ji Hongling said with a bitter smile, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, secretly thinking that Zhao Letian was too insensitive.
"That's good." Zhao Letian released Ji Hongling's arm, nodded, and then walked straight to the auction hall, returning to his seat.
Ji Hongling smiled helplessly, shook her head, and then walked out as well.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our Ten Thousand Treasure Tower has confirmed that this senior's assets are sufficient to bid for the Cloud Piercing Boat. If anyone else wishes to continue bidding, please make your offers quickly; otherwise, this Cloud Piercing Boat will belong to this senior," Ji Hongling announced scanning the audience.
"Humph!" From a private room on the second floor, Liu Yidao grunted coldly, feeling very frustrated. Since that unknown Martial Artist really owned enough Primordial Stones, he could only give up. The price of twelve thousand was too high.
"Since no one else is making an offer, this servant hereby announces that the Cloud Piercing Boat, for the price of twelve thousand and one hundred Mid-Grade Essence Stones, has been won by guest number 2008. Congratulations to this senior. After the auction ends, you may use the Jade Token to proceed with the transaction backstage," Ji Hongling nodded towards Zhao Letian, who also nodded lightly in response.
"Next, this finale treasure is still extraordinary. It is a Second Grade Pill Furnace, the Hundred Herbs Furnace, capable of concocting various types of Second Grade elixirs. Its value is even higher than the Cloud Piercing Boat. The starting bid is five thousand Mid-Grade Essence Stones, and each increment must not be less than a hundred Mid-Grade Essence Stones. The bidding starts now," Ji Hongling took out a black cauldron adorned with exquisite floral patterns, showed it to everyone, and spoke loudly.
"A Pill Furnace?" Zhao Letian's eyes flashed with interest, greatly intrigued.
If he wanted to learn the art of Alchemy later, he would definitely need a Pill Furnace. He wanted this Hundred Herbs Furnace.
Unexpectedly, the hall was unusually quiet this time, with no one speaking up to bid, leading to an awkward silence.
"This Pill Furnace is good, but it's useless for those who don't know Alchemy."
"Exactly, who would spend five thousand Mid-Grade Essence Stones on a Pill Furnace they can't use?"
"Such an item would likely only interest Alchemists. Fire Elder should make a move."
The crowd discussed among themselves, still with no one bidding.
Ji Hongling had clearly anticipated this situation. Her charming face showed no surprise, maintaining an intoxicating smile.
A Pill Furnace was intended for a specific audience. She didn't have high hopes that many would bid; just a few Alchemy Masters participating was enough to fetch a good price.
"Six thousand! This old man will secure this Pill Furnace!" The Fire Elder, who had once competed with Sun Shuhao for an Elixir recipe, spoke firmly, determined to get this Pill Furnace.
"Six thousand five hundred!"
There were evidently more than just Fire Elder interested in the Hundred Herbs Furnace, as an elderly voice emerged from a private room on the second floor.
"Humph! Seven thousand!"
Missing the Elixir recipe was one thing, but Fire Elder wouldn't give up on this Second Grade Pill Furnace. He gritted his teeth and placed all his chips.
"Fire Elder, I will let you have this Second Grade Pill Furnace," the elderly voice from the private room relented as the price had exceeded his expectations.
"Give it up? Hmph! You speak so nicely, Old Li, don't think I'm unaware that it was you who made me spend an extra thousand Mid-Grade Essence Stones. You just wait." Huo Lao puffed his beard and glared with rage.
"Just wait then, I'm not afraid of you." From a private room on the second floor, an elderly voice retorted unwillingly.
"Hmph! Girl, don't dally any longer; announce that the Hundred Herbs Furnace belongs to me already. No one else is going to bid." Huo Lao coldly snorted and then impatiently urged Ji Hongling, who was on the stage.
Ji Hongling slightly furrowed her brows and scanned the crowd. It seemed indeed that no one was willing to continue bidding. But the price of seven thousand Mid-Grade Essence Stones was still less than what a Cloud Piercing Boat would sell for, far below what the Ten Thousand Treasure Tower had anticipated. If it were auctioned off at this price, it would be a stain on her record and disadvantageous for her future promotion.
"Seven thousand and one."
At this moment, Zhao Letian spoke again.
Everyone looked over in surprise, thinking how audacious this unknown Martial Artist was. He had already offended the Liu Family and Badao Mountain Villa, and now he was provoking the city's Alchemy Master, Huo Lao. Did he no longer care about his future in Qingzhou City?
Moreover, the financial capability of this unknown Martial Artist was astonishing. After purchasing the Cloud Piercing Boat, he still had the capacity to buy this Hundred Herbs Furnace.
"Young man, although I don't know you, you must have heard of my name. My word carries weight in Qingzhou City. How about this, you give me some face today and let me have this Hundred Herbs Furnace, and consider it as oweing you a favor?" Huo Lao frowned, looked at Zhao Letian, and pleaded.
This unknown Martial Artist wasn't afraid of the Liu Family or Badao Mountain Villa, naturally, he would not fear this old man either. He could only offer a favor in exchange, believing that a favor from an Alchemist was still quite attractive. Check for the latest updates on My Virtual Library Empire (*).
Everyone showed looks of envy, clearly, a favor from an Alchemist was indeed very desirable to them.
"I haven't heard of your name, and I must have this Hundred Herbs Furnace," said Zhao Letian calmly.
Others cared about the Alchemist's favor, merely hoping to ask the Alchemist to help concoct some elixirs. Zhao Letian's inherited memories contained a complete Alchemy Dao, and as long as he was willing to spend time studying it, becoming a First Grade Alchemist was certainly not a problem. He did not need this favor from Huo Lao.
"Hmph! Don't be too arrogant, young man. I, Huo Lao, am also a prominent figure in Qingzhou City. Now that I'm humbly asking for your cooperation, yet you ignore it, aren't you being too disrespectful? Be careful, you might not be able to leave this Qingzhou City after the auction ends," Huo Lao said angrily, staring coldly at Zhao Letian.
"If the young aren't vigorous, how can they be called young? Old man, if you want to bid, then make an offer; if not, then shut up," Zhao Letian indifferently responded.
Since Huo Lao insisted on acting high and mighty, Zhao Letian felt no need to be polite anymore, especially since he was being threatened. Zhao Letian, was he someone to be intimidated?
"Fine, fine, you've got guts, eight thousand!" Huo Lao's face flushed with anger, he gritted his teeth, and went all in.
"Eight thousand and one," Zhao Letian said calmly.
"You…" Huo Lao was so frustrated that he nearly ran out of breath, slumping in his chair, clutching his chest, and glaring venomously at Zhao Letian.
"He has given up, announce the result," Zhao Letian said, ignoring Huo Lao's glare and turning to Ji Hongling.
Ji Hongling gave a helpless smile. She hadn't expected Zhao Letian to get involved again, but thanks to him, the price was raised a bit more. Although eight thousand and one still did not meet the expectations of the Ten Thousand Treasure Tower, it was at least better than seven thousand, and she could somewhat explain it to her superiors.